Hematophobia

/ˌhɛmətəˈfoʊbiə/ noun

Definition

An intense, irrational fear of blood that can cause panic or fainting in affected people.

Etymology

From Greek 'haima' (blood) + 'phobos' (fear). This psychiatric term emerged in the late 1800s as phobias were being formally classified and named in clinical literature.

Kelly Says

Hematophobia is more common than you'd think—some people with this phobia faint when seeing blood because their body's nervous system goes into a crash response, not because they're squeamish!

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